Benaglio urges Swiss caution

Diego Benaglio believes Switzerland would be foolish to get carried away following their victory over Spain.

By Chris Burton

Last Updated: 19/06/10 2:25pm

Diego Benaglio believes Switzerland would be foolish to get carried away following their victory over Spain.

Ottmar Hitzfeld's men sprang the surprise of the tournament so far when they saw off the reigning European champions in their opening game.

A 1-0 win has left the Swiss well on course for the knockout stages, with supposedly easier contests against Chile and Honduras to come.

It is, however, important that they do not allow themselves to be caught up in the hype currently surrounding the squad.

Benaglio is confident Hitzfeld will be able to keep emotions in check, as he knows that World Cup success is not built on one good result.

He said: "Let us just keep feet on the ground. Nobody will ever deny this victory against Spain.

"It may have been historical, okay, but at a Fifa World Cup it's the three points that count. And they won't count much if we do not add some more in this group stage."

Reality

Stephan Lichtsteiner, who stared against Spain, agrees with his keeper and has also called for calm ahead of an equally as important contest against Chile on Monday.

He said: "A small country like Switzerland will hardly ever able to be the favourite of a World Cup. We may become the team the favourites fear, and be able to annoy them, but we do not lose sense of reality.

"There are two more games in the group stage and we want to qualify for the second stage in this tournament."

Chile also took three points from their opening game, against Honduras, and will enter the match against Switzerland looking to book their place in the last 16.

"Chile wants to qualify before they face Spain in their last group stage game," added Lichtsteiner.

"The team is very strong, the players are so skilful, we must work very hard to compete with them."